Riding the Raisina Tiger

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Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar and an Army Corps commander have expressed apprehension that
“Pakistan-backed terrorists” may attack “soft targets” in Jammu and Kashmir
ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit here this month.

Addressing
mediapersons on the sidelines of the Army Chief’s “at home” function to mark
Army Day, Parrikar said: “They (terrorists) may try to do something to create
news. But we are well prepared.” He ruled out any immediate talks with
Pakistan.

Lt Gen KH Singh,
General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Nagrota-based 16 Corps, said the Indian
Army had inputs that Pakistani terrorists might carry out Peshawar-like terror
attacks on soft targets such as schools, places of worship, civilian areas and convoys
where the security forces were not present in the militancy-hit J&K.

Lt Gen Singh said
Pakistan had set up 36 war rooms in as many launch pads to engineer terror
attacks. “I will call them modules — an amalgam of Pakistan Army’s Special
Forces, SSG, local formation commanders and terror groups — which are being led
by the ISI. They may try and carry out attacks on soft targets. They may try to
enter the state via the Nepal route,” he said.

He said schools
under the Indian Army and paramilitary forces were being taken care of. “There
have been instances when such attacks took place during eminent leaders’ visit
to the country in the past,” he said.

Parrikar said
Pakistan would have to turn words into action for bilateral talks to begin.
“Let things cool down at the border also. If things are quiet now, it is not
because of the Pakistan Army, but because we reacted in a certain way when they
fired first,” he said.

Lt Gen Singh said:
“The internal situation in Pakistan is complicated now. It is facing a lot of
threat from its home-grown terror but there are possibilities that it may try
to deflect some fringe elements of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to our side
in the garb of assistance to the so-called Kashmir freedom fighters.”

On the US-led NATO
forces drawdown in Afghanistan, he said the US had decided to keep some troops
there but again the possibility of terrorists coming to J&K could not be
ruled out.

Lt Gen Singh said
44 terror camps remained intact in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “There are nearly
200 terrorists in 15 such camps on the other side of the LoC opposite the 16
Corps zone area in Jammu,” he added.

President Pranab
Mukherjee conveyed India’s continued commitment to Bhutan remains undiluted and
that New Delhi is ready to extend every cooperation underscoring that the
security concerns of both countries are both “indivisible and intertwined”.

Welcoming the
Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, the President remarked that the
Siliguri corridor is a lifeline for both the countries which should continue
their close cooperation on issues of mutual concern.

“Historical and cultural
linkages as well as civilizational bonds between the two countries make them
natural friends and partners. Shared strategic perceptions, trust, transparency
and sensitivity to each other’s concerns are the hallmarks of the
relationship,” the President told the visiting dignitary, a Rashtrapati Bhawan
release said.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister,
who came to India last week, called on the President on Wednesday. Welcoming
the Bhutanese Prime Minister, the President said the year 2014 has been a year
of consolidation and intensification of relations between India and Bhutan.

The Prime Ministers of both
countries visited each other’s countries on their first visits abroad. There
was also his first State Visit to the country in November 2014. This reflects
the highest importance that India accords to Bhutan, which is a neighbour and
steadfast partner. The President thanked the Bhutanese Prime Minister for the
warmth of the reception and hospitality accorded to him during his visit to
Bhutan. He also conveyed his thanks to the King of Bhutan for his message of
concern and good wishes when he was unwell.

The President expressed
happiness that the Bhutanese Prime Minister will be carrying a sapling from the
Maha Bodhi tree to be planted at Punakha in Bhutan. He said it will further
strengthen the historic bonds between the two countries. Reciprocating his
sentiments, the Bhutanese PM said the President’s visit to Bhutan left behind a
lasting impression in the minds of the people of Bhutan.

The Ministry of
Defence is considering splitting the work handled by the DRDO chief into two
verticals.

The new system can
be implemented when the government appoints a successor to just-ousted DRDO
chief Dr Avinash Chander. The government had removed him on January 13, 15
months before his contract was to end.

The DRDO Director
General also holds two other posts, that of Secretary, Defence Research and
Development, and also the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.

Sources said now
the Ministry was considering that two persons could be appointed — one as DG
DRDO and another as Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister with the former
holding the higher rank. The matter is at a discussion stage and the Scientific
Adviser may not necessarily be from within the DRDO that comprises nearly 750
scientists. On January 31, when Dr Chander relinquishes charges, the
senior-most (Dr K Tamilmani, Director General, Aeronautical Systems (Aero) is
expected to take charge.

Last week, in a
stunning blow to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan voters opted for
his former colleague Maithripala Sirisena to end a decade-long regime that has
been increasingly marked by allegations of nepotism, corruption and
authoritarianism. Rajapaksa, after having defeated the LTTE, won an
overwhelming mandate for himself and his party in the 2010 elections. When the
war ended in 2009, there was an opportunity for the ethnic communities to
reconcile and the government was expected to implement measures to address the
problems faced by the country’s minorities, particularly by Tamils. That did
not happen.

It was Rajapaksa
who had called for elections in January, a full 16 months ahead of schedule.
His confidence stemmed from the fact that it was under his leadership, the
civil war ended in 2009, the term limits for the presidency were removed in
2010, a wave of infrastructure investment poured in and the country's economy
has experienced a still rising peace dividend. The Sri Lankan economy has seen
robust annual growth at 6.4 per cent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional
peers.Following the end of the civil
conflict in May 2009, growth rose initially to 8 per cent, largely reflecting a
'peace dividend', and underpinned by strong private consumption and investment.
While growth was mostly private sector driven, public investment in
infrastructure, including post-war reconstruction efforts in the northern and
eastern provinces, also contributed. Growth was around 7 per cent in 2013,
driven by a rebound in the service sector which accounts for 60 per cent of
GDP.

Economic
prosperity has been broadly shared with Sri Lanka experiencing a big decline in
poverty between 2002 and 2009 — from 23 per cent to 9 per cent of the
population. There is anticipation that the Sri Lanka per capita income will
increase sufficiently in the next two to three years and it may be defined by
the World Bank as a middle-income country.

And yet despite an
end to the violent conflict with the LTTE in 2009, social tensions have
persisted in Sri Lanka. A predominantly militarised development process imposes
a top-down strategy at the expense of incorporating local voices and ideas.
Though more discrete than was previously the case, forces are involved at all
levels of civilian administration in the North, and development projects must
be military-approved. The International Crisis Group has argued that 'instead
of giving way to a process of inclusive, accountable development, the military
is increasing its economic role, controlling land and seemingly establishing
itself as a permanent, occupying presence.'Sri Lanka has also been witnessing religious tensions between the
Sinhala Buddhists and the Muslims. The anti-Muslim campaign has been triggered
by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) over the abolition of the Halaal certification
process and banning of the niqab. The Bodu Bala Sena, meaning 'Buddhist Power
Force’, was formed in July 2012. It has taken up various anti- Muslim
activities, for example, asking people not to shop from Muslim shops.Not surprising, therefore, that the minority
Tamils and Muslims appeared to have voted heavily against Rajapaksa.

As a new era
begins in Sri Lanka, both China and India will be looking closely at how the
new regime will change its priorities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly
reached out to Sirisena to congratulate him on his victory and assured him of
India's continued solidarity and support to the country’s peace and development.
President Sirisena will travel to New Delhi next month on his first State visit
abroad. It is being speculated in New Delhi that the ouster of Rajapaksa would
mean a greater role for India in the island. The government of Rajapaksa had
become ever more confident of disregarding Indian concerns. India has been
emphasising the need for urgent steps to resettle the internally displaced
persons and has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to expedite the rehabilitation
and reconstruction efforts in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. India has
underlined the need for a meaningful devolution package, building on the 13th
amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution that would create the necessary
conditions for a lasting political settlement. However, the Rajapaksa
government was largely non-committal on most of India's demands.

At the same time,
Chinese footprint had been expanding in Sri Lanka. Chinese military supplies to
Sri Lanka are estimated at US $100 million a year, with China supporting the
Sri Lankan defence forces in boosting its capabilities for high-technology
aerial warfare, and restructuring and reorienting the military. China emerged
as the largest foreign finance partner of Sri Lanka in 2010, overtaking India
and Japan, and its third largest trading partner in 2012. Sri Lanka is also
committed to join the Maritime Silk Road initiative of Beijing which is a vital
strategic project for China in the Indian Ocean. For China, Sri Lanka is a
gateway port up the western coast of India and further west to Iran, an
important oil exporter to China.

China's support
was crucial for Sri Lanka during the last phase of the war against the LTTE.
Chinese support has also been invaluable for Sri Lanka to confront the
US-backed resolutions at the UNHRC. As a result, the two nations now have a
declared 'strategic co-operation partnership'. For China, its ties with Sri
Lanka give it a foothold near crucial sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean, as well as
entry into what India considers its sphere of influence. China is financing
more than 85 per cent of the Hambantota Development Zone, to be completed over
the next decade. This will include an international container port, a bunkering
system, an oil refinery and an international airport.

Indian
policymakers will be mistaken if they think that a change of regime in Colombo
will lead to a dampening of Sino-Sri Lanka ties. China's role is now firmly
embedded in Sri Lanka - economically as well as geopolitically. India will have
to up its game if it wants to retain its leverage in Colombo. Rajapaksa or
Sirisena, China's role is only going to grow in the island nation. After all,
the stakes are just too high in the great game that is being played in the
Indian Ocean.

PM awards young
innovators in the Indian Army, on the occasion of Army Day

In a unique
initiative aimed at recognizing and awarding innovation among youth, the Prime
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today presented Certificates of Excellence to
eight young innovative officers of the Indian Army. The certificates were
presented to the officers for unique innovations done by these officers, in areas
such as reconnaissance, monitoring and greater facilitation for soldiers in
combat conditions.

The certificates
were presented by the Prime Minister, to these innovators during the
"at-home function" at the residence of the Chief of Army Staff, on the
occasion of Army Day. The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar was also
present.

The innovators
also explained their work to the Prime Minister, through working models and
exhibits, in the presence of the Chief of Army Staff.

This is the first
time that such efforts on the part of Army officers have been recognized at
this highest level.

While presenting
the DRDO awards in August 2014, the Prime Minister had called for involving
youth in defence research related activities in a big way, to ensure that India
remained abreast of global technological advancements in the field. The Prime
Minister had also encouraged DRDO to connect with the ultimate end-user of its
products - the soldier. He had said the soldier can suggest many practical
innovations in defence technology.

Prime Minister has
also observed that occasions like the Annual Day of the three Services (Air
Force Day, Army Day and Navy Day) should be occasions not merely to celebrate
the service of our Armed Forces in the defence and security of our nation, but
also to organize events to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
Armed Forces. Such events could include recognition of members of the Services
who have made innovative contributions in areas like defence management, estate
management, environment, finance and expenditure, design of defence equipment,
papers on defence strategies etc.

We are well prepared:
Defence Minister on reports of militant attacks ahead of Obama’s visit

New Delhi: Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said India is "well prepared"
to thwart any possible terror attack in the backdrop of intelligence inputs
that strikes could be carried out on "soft targets" in Jammu and
Kashmir ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit here this month.

"They
(terrorists) may try to do something to create news. But we are well
prepared," Parrikar said.

He was replying to
a question about the statement by a top army officer that there were inputs
about possibility of attacks on "soft targets" by Pakistan-based
terror groups such as schools, religious places, military convoys and civilian
areas in the militancy-hit state ahead of Obama's visit.

General Officer
Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen K H Singh said that 200 heavily armed
militants were waiting in 36 launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC) on
the other side of Pir Panjal range and there is every possibility that Pakistan
might try to divert the fringe elements of the home-grown terrorist outfits on
this side of the border.

"There are
general inputs that terrorists might try to attack soft targets, including
schools, religions places, army convoys and other civilian areas," he told
reporters in Nagrota.

Asked if the
killing of five hardcore militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul
Mujahideen (HM) in a fierce gunbattle in Shopian district of south Kashmir
today was related to Obama visit, he said, "No, that (encounter) is a
different thing."

He said the
encounter showed the success of information gathering by the security forces.

Talking to
reporters on the sidelines of a reception hosted by Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh
on occasion of Army Day, Parrikar said Pakistan will have to put words into
action for bilateral dialogue process to begin.

"Let things
cool down at the borders also. If things are quite now, it is not because of
Pakistan Army. It is because we reacted in a certain way when they fired
first," he said, when asked about media reports from Pakistan that it's
government plans to ban 10 terror outfits, including 26/11 mastermind Hafiz
Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

Of silver
chariots, obsolete weapons and DRDO — the sacking of Avinash Chander

NEW DELHI: When
soldiers are confronted with empty shells to feed their tanks, hesitated for
night operations and complained of obsolete air-defence mechanisms, the key
organization responsible to keep India’s defence forces abreast with enough
supply and technology, was busy developing a fancy battery-operated
silver-chariot for a temple in Maharashtra.

The organization
in contention –the Defence Research and Development Organisation, (DRDO) a
government agency which proudly states ‘’dedicatedly working towards enhancing
self-reliance in Defence Systems and undertakes design & development
leading to production of world class weapon systems and equipment in accordance
with the expressed needs and the qualitative requirements laid down by the
three services,’’ had a rude shock. Its chief, 65-year-old Avinash Chander who
joined the outfit in 1972, had been sacked by the government without a warning.

The government
seems to be in the right track as the move is in tandem with the rapidly
growing geo-political uncertainty weighing on India. The organization,
administered by the Ministry of Defence, was headed by Chander, known for being
the architect of India’s Agni missile series. He was re-employed in November
for 18 months to continue as its head, in New Delhi.

The Appointments
Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi “approved the
termination” of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from January 31, an
official notification said.

Chander had been
formally appointed as DRDO head in May 2013 and had promised to take the
organization to the next level, including developing the latest versions of the
Agni missile, with a range of over 6,000 kilometers would be inducted in the
armed forces’ arsenal by 2015.

The move did not
come as a surprise to many. Consider these recent developments.

India’s former
army chief, Gen V K Singh has gone on record to say that its tanks do not have
enough ammo to fire, its ill-equipped land forces cannot fight at night and
air-defenses are utterly obsolete. The army chief had accused the government of
neglecting the country’s security.

If that was not
enough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also pointed out recently of the ‘’laid
back’’ attitude of the DRDO with projects falling behind schedule. The private
sector had also been complaining that many of its permits for manufacturing had
been mired in red tap thanks to the DRDO.

As if to seal the
fate of the DRDO chief, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was quick to point
out: “I recommended this. We need someone young and didn’t want somebody on
contract to be in such a senior post… the proposal went from my side to appoint
new person as head of DRDO. I have not yet decided who will head the
organisation.”

Coping up with
hardly any indigenously developed military hardware, India shopped aggressively
for weapons over the recent years. A Swedish research group said that between
2007 and 2011, the country had emerged as the world’s largest weapons importer.

There are other
arguments doing the rounds that Chander could have fallen foulof the government on account of the
accusation that the country’s top defence equipment research organization was
scuttling talent due to a rigid hierarchy that allowed some scientists to keep
getting extensions.

Chander had to
face PM’s ire also because of the mess in the DRDO facing losses worth around
Rs 29,000 crore due to time and cost overruns in acquisitions/developmental
projects. For example, the indigenous Aircraft Carrier will now cost Rs 19,341
crore from its original cost of Rs 3,241 crore. Similarly, in case of the
Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer, the cost has been revised from Rs 3,850 crore
to Rs 11,662 crore and timelines have been revised from 2010-11 to 2015-16.

Chander should
have realized, before it became too late, that the country’s army need much
more than silver chariots to fight the wars of the next generation.